Loading device



E. PRAIRIE.

LOADING DEVICE.

.PLlCATION HLED AUG-6, 1920..

1,388,601 Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

v INVENTOR.

BY J ATTORNEW I EXZEOR PRAIRIE, OF WEST IKANKAKEE, ILLINOIS.

LOADING nnvrcn Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

Application filed August e; 1920. Serial No. 401,580.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Exznon PRAIRIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Kankakee, in the county of Kankakee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loading Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in loading devices.

n important object of this invention is to provide a loading device for motor vehiales and drays having novel means whereby large barrels, boxes, dead animals and other heavy objects may be elevated onto the vehiole or the dray.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application aims also to provide a loading device of the class described which may be operated with a minimum of effort on the part of the attendant.

further object of the invention is to 1'0- vide a loading device of the class described which is simple, durable in use, and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing formin a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a rear end elevation of a motor vehicle having the improved loading device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a shaft and associated elements embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the vehicle body and the improved loading apparatus.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 genorally designates a motor vehicle provided with a body having a floor 11, and spaced longitudinally extending side walls 15 to which the improved loading apparatus is principally secured. As is obvious from Fig. l, the rear end of the body is open so that heavy objects may be loaded onto the vehicle from the rear of the same. If desired, a runway may be arranged at the rear end of the vehicle so that barrels or the like may be drawn up onto the body by means of the improved lifting and loading device generally designated by the numeral 20.

The improvedloading device comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertically arranged standards 22 secured to the sides of the body by bolts 2a or other suitable fastening, devices. The standards 22 extend above the upper sides of the body and are provided with bearing caps 25 which serve as a means for rotatably supporting a shaft which is indicated by the numeral 26. The bearing ca 25 of each standard is, of course, provi ed with a semi-circular bearing receiving portion which alines with a similar semi-circular bearing portion in the standard so as to form a cylindrical opening.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, a flexible element 30 in the form of a chai is anchored at one end to the shaft 26 and is adapted to be wound about the shaft as the latter rotates. The other end portion of the flexible element 30 is provided with a loop 32 which is slidable upon a transversely extending rod 33 arranged rearwardly of the shaft and in spaced parallel relation to the same. An article engaging hook 34 is provided with a pulley or roller 36 which, as illustrated in ig. 2, is slidable on the chain 30 so that as t e chain is wound upon the shaft 25 the hook will be moved forwardly. The hook 34 is of course adapted for engaging an article upon the ground so that the article will be elevated on to the body when the shaft is rotated.

In order that the shaft 26 may be held in an adjusted position, the same is provided with aratchet wheel 35 adapted to be engaged b a pawl 37 pivoted to one of the standar s 22.

The upper portionsof the standards 22 are provided with inclined braces 38 se cured to the upper edges of the sides 15 so as to hold the standards firmly in position.

In order that the body may be strengthened so as to withstand strain incident to the use of the device, I have provided a U-shaped bracing element 44 which has its arms or sides 45 extended upwardly and secured to the body adjacent the standards 22. In this manner, the body is securely held against distortion as the result of continued use of the hoisting device.

ith reference to the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be observed that a hoisting device constructed in accordance with this invention may be readily and conveniently applied to vehicles or drays with- I tion with a vehicle out changing the construction of the vehicle or dray in any respect. It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, and that. such minor changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A loading device comprising in combinabody having a floor and sides, standards secured to and rising above lel with the shaft, 2.

the sides of the vehicle body, a shaft journaled upon the standards, a rod secured to and extending between the standards paralfiexible lifting element secured at one end to the shaft to wind thereon and having its opposite end loosely engaged upon sald rod to slide along the same as its main portion winds upon the shaft, a load-engaging device movably supported by the flexible lifting element, means for turning the shaft, and means for venting reverse movement of the shaft.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

EXZEOR PRAIRIE. [n 5.] 

